A First Series of Hymns and Songs/Descriptive Songs/The Convent-Bell

42. The Convent-Bell.

Far, far o'er hill and dale,
On the winds stealing,
List to the convent-bell,
Sweetly pealing.
Hark! hark! it seems to say,
As melt those sounds away,
So life's short joys decay
While now they're fleeting.

Now through the charmed air,
Slowly ascending,
List to the chanted prayer,
Solemnly blending.
Hark, hark! it seems to say,
Turn from vain joys away,
To those which ne'er decay;
For life is ending.